Providing A Good Education Today, To Ensure A Competitive Tomorrow

Providing A Good Education Today, To Ensure A Competitive Tomorrow Every day the world becomes more advanced, more connected, and more competitive, and Max knows that a good education is the key to Montana's competitiveness and a strong economic future. That is why Max has constantly worked to provide Montana teachers and students with the resources necessary to provide a 21st century education.

By securing more funds to invest into Montana's schools to reduce class sizes, improve school facilities, and attract high quality teachers, Max will help ensure that every student is prepared for the world that awaits them on graduation day.

Working For Montana's Fair Share

  • Max fought for and won the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools Program while also ensuring that it treated Montana schools fairly delivering as much as $34 million back to Montana schools.
  • Max has worked to keep Montana's class sizes small by providing over $7 million in federal funds.
  • Max has consistently fought to ensure that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is fully funded and working to help our kids who need it most.
  • Max introduced legislation to invest more in our schools on or near federal lands like Montana's reservations or military bases which qualify for Impact Aid. Some seventy school districts in Montana qualify for Impact Aid and Max's bill called for making the funding permanent as well as a nearly $5 million boost for Montana schools.
  • Max pressured President Bush and called for him to fulfill his funding promises in No Child Left Behind by making up a nearly $25 million deficit to the state of Montana.
  • Max pushed for the creation and is a cosponsor of the reauthorization of the Rural Education Achievement Program which provides additional federal funds to our rural schools. Last year, Montana received $5.4 million in additional education funding under the Rural Education Achievement Program.
  • Max helped create the Senate Rural Education Caucus which works to highlight the needs and strengths of rural schools across America.

Giving Montana Students The Tools To Compete In The 21st Century

  • Max sponsored legislation to establish scholarship programs for students pursuing degrees in early childhood education, science/technology/engineering/mathematics, or critical foreign languages. In return for the scholarship, students would then commit to teach in their field or work in employment that improves education.
  • Max introduced legislation to boost community and technology colleges while also helping students find good-paying jobs. Max's bill called for establishing grant programs that higher education institutions, businesses, and local workforce agencies can apply for to fill local job-skills needs.
  • Max authored the legislation which created the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation which conduct research programs, conferences, and other academic activities.
  • Max cosponsored legislation to facilitate undergraduate study abroad for credit. The program provided fellowships as well as grants to higher education institutions.

Working To Keep Quality Teachers In All Montana Classrooms

  • A leading voice in alerting the Senate to the teacher shortage in rural America.
  • Max introduced legislation calling for scholarships, supplemental wages, and other incentives for our teachers.
  • Max cosponsored legislation to extend forgiveness on federal loans to Head Start teachers.
  • Working for professional development and teacher training funding.
  • Promoting incentives for teacher recruitment and retention.

Leading The Senate To Make Higher Education Affordable For All Montana Families

  • Max helped pass the bill which increased Pell Grants from $4,050 to $5,100.
  • Max created the 529 Qualified Tuition programs which allows parents to put away money tax-free to help families save for higher education.
  • Max cosponsored an amendment to support access to higher education and job training by restoring program cuts slated for vocational education, increasing investment in student aid programs, and increasing Pell Grants
  • Using his role on the Senate Finance Committee to include $29 billion in education provisions to the 2001 tax package
  • Expanding the student loan deduction
  • Providing a tax deduction for families' higher education expenses

Giving Montana Students A Head Start

  • Max is a strong supporter of the Head Start program which helps approximately 4,500 Montana kids.
  • Max has consistently fought to fully fund the Head Start program and has opposed changes that would make it harder to serve the needs of Montana's children.
  • Max helped pass the reauthorization of the Head Start program that expands access to include additional low-income children and increase funding to expand Indian Head Start.

Keeping Our Classrooms Updated With The Latest Technology

  • Max participated in the "Computers for Schools Program" and donated 25 computers from his Senate office to students back home in Montana.
  • Max helped to create the E-rate program which helps equip our schools with telecommunications services and internet access. Since the program's creation, it has delivered over $2 billion worth of services to schools nationwide.
  • email address zip code
  • Donate now!
  • Get involved!
  • Build the base!
  • Register to vote